August 4, 2020
Outdoor Dining Innovation: DineOut NYC
Every industry is working to find safe ways to conduct business during this phase of the pandemic. The restaurant industry is looking at how to safely, efficiently, and economically offer variations on outdoor dining without sacrificing elements of gracious hospitality. One such outdoor dining innovation is DineOut NYC.
As the summer began, The New York Hospitality Alliance, a non-profit founded in 2012 to represent New York City restaurants and nightlife, partnered with The Rockwell Group to create DineOut NYC.
DineOut NYC is a modular dining system restaurants can use for outside dining set-up. Its modular design is flexible enough to fit countless variations of footprints. The system enables eateries to better use outdoor spaces like sidewalks, parking spaces, or other available outdoor areas – especially those not previously intended for dining.
The Rockwell Group’s expertise in restaurant design is evident in these units. The design is based on open-air cafes and similar street dining structures used throughout Italy and other European countries. The design addresses barriers for safety, flooring, shading, lighting, furniture, and space for sanitation and restaurant equipment.
The New York Post reports that Melba’s restaurant in Harlem was able to set up in just six hours. The legendary restaurant’s new area accommodates 17 square bistro tables, each separated by large planters or short plexiglass walls designed to maximize safety for guests.
In response to increased interest, and based on the success at Melba’s and other restaurants around New York City, DineOut NYC has expanded to communal outdoor dining. Surface reports on the July 29th opening of a 120-seat area in Chinatown on Mott Street (between Worth Street and Mosco Street) and a second such effort to follow in Queens.
With summer in full swing, more and more New Yorkers are taking advantage of outside dining in New York City. Thoughtful outdoor dining innovation solutions like DineOut NYC help to deliver a pleasurable, hospitable experience that’s safe and enjoyable. So go out and safely partake in what New York City’s neighborhood restaurants do best.
For more on outdoor dining in NoMad, read Outdoor Dining: NoMad Restaurants To European